I’ve nominated the Bowland Brewery for the Countryside Alliance Awards – modestly described by the Countryside Alliance as the rural oscars.
I am a fairly regular purchaser of Bowland Brewery’s Hen Harrier ale and I like it as a beer and as an idea – my beer drinking gives money to the RSPB’s Hen Harrier work.
James Warburton, owner of Bowland Brewery said: ‘The hen harrier is a living symbol of Bowland Brewery’s intimate connection with the landscape where we produce our beers.
The very real prospect that this beautiful bird of prey may disappear from the skies above the Forest of Bowland is unthinkable. That’s why we are committing to donate a significant sum of money each year to safeguard the future of one of Bowland’s most iconic residents.
By buying Hen Harrier by the pint or in bottles, locals and visitors alike will be making a positive contribution to hen harrier conservation in Bowland – and ultimately helping the population to grow.’.
Unfortunately there have been no Hen Harriers nesting in the Forest of Bowland AONB (logo – a Hen Harrier) in the last couple of years.
My nomination made the point that not only is this a good beer but that it is supporting a cause that every rural person supports – ridding the countryside of wildlife crime.
Just in case the Countryside Alliance lose my nomination you could add your voice here.
I hear that Duncan Thomas, a local, is particularly keen on a pint of Hen Harrier and went round to the Brewery to tell them so a while back. So, I’m sure this will have BASC support, for sure.
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On a less contentious note, have you tried Orkney Brewery’s Puffin Ale – http://www.orkneybrewery.co.uk/beer/puffin-ale-500-ml and Corncrake Ale – http://www.orkneybrewery.co.uk/beer/corncrake-500-ml A donation from the latter goes towards Corncrake conservation in Scotland. Get some in!
Dear Kevin,
We do not have any plans to change the logo for the Forest of Bowland AONB Partnership.
The AONB Partners (including RSPB, United Utilities, Natural England) continue to work hard to help re-establish the hen harrier as a breeding species within the AONB. We are equally saddened and extremely disappointed about the fact that there have been no breeding hen harriers in Bowland for the last two years. If you would like to know any more about the work the AONB Partnership is involved in to try to help the situation, please do get in touch.
Regards
Elliott Lorimer
Principal Officer
Forest of Bowland AONB
—–Original Message—–
From: Kevin Hargreaves
Sent: 25 August 2017 15:37
To: Bowland
Subject: Hen harrier
Hi, it must be quite an embarrassment having a symbol of the hen harrier to promote the Forest of Bowland when there isn’t any there. You say on the website that “watching a hen harrier over moorland in spring as breathtaking” and “it’s sky dancing display flights are a joy to watch” But if I came there to witness this for myself I wouldn’t be able to because you’ve lost them all.
Perhaps a better symbol to use to promote the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty would be a grouse, as there are plenty of them.
Regards,
Kevin
Well done, Kevin.
Bowland Brewery Nominated!
The more the merrier!
Another vote for the Bowland Brewery.
A bit off topic, but I’m just wondering – what are the pros and cons of having alcohol companies as sponsors of good cause? Are small breweries somehow more ethical than larger? Do large companies contribute to all the problems related to alcohol consumption while the small breweries are targeting only “gourmet” fans without alcoholism problems? And does beer producer make a more ethical sponsor than vodka producer? Looking forward to your comment or blog post on that subject!